Who is Allah?

"Truly, your god is truly One!" [Qur'an 37:4]

It is a known fact that every language has one or more terms that are used in reference to God and sometimes to lesser deities. This is not the case with Allah. Allah is the personal name of the One true God. Nothing else can be called Allah. The term has no plural or gender. This shows its uniqueness when compared with the word god which can be made plural, gods, or feminine, goddess. It is interesting to notice that Allah is the personal name of God in Aramaic, the language of Jesus and a sister language of Arabic.

The One true God is a reflection of the unique concept that Islam associates with God. To a Muslim, Allah is the Almighty, Creator and Sustainer of the universe, Who is similar to nothing and nothing is comparable to Him. The Prophet Muhammad was asked by his contemporaries about Allah; the answer came directly from God Himself in the form of a short chapter of the Quran, which is considered the essence of the unity or the motto of monotheism. This is chapter 112 which reads:

"In the name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate. Say (O Muhammad) He is God the One God, the Everlasting Refuge, who has not begotten, nor has been begotten, and equal to Him is not anyone."

Some non-Muslims allege that God in Islam is a stern and cruel God who demands to be obeyed fully. He is not loving and kind. Nothing can be farther from truth than this allegation. It is enough to know that, with the exception of one, each of the 114 chapters of the Quran begins with the verse: "In the name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate." In one of the sayings of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) we are told that "God is more loving and kinder than a mother to her dear child."

But God is also Just. Hence evildoers and sinners must have their share of punishment and the virtuous, His bounties and favors. Actually God's attribute of Mercy has full manifestation in His attribute of Justice. People suffering throughout their lives for His sake and people oppressing and exploiting other people all their lives should not receive similar treatment from their Lord. Expecting similar treatment for them will amount to negating the very belief in the accountability of man in the Hereafter and thereby negating all the incentives for a moral and virtuous life in this world. The following Quranic verses are very clear and straightforward in this respect:

"Verily, for the Righteous are gardens of Delight, in the Presence of their Lord. Shall We then treat the people of Faith like the people of Sin? What is the matter with you? How judge you?" (68:34-36)

Islam rejects characterizing God in any human form or depicting Him as favoring certain individuals or nations on the basis of wealth, power or race. He created the human beings as equals. They may distinguish themselves and get His favor through virtue and piety only.
The concept that God rested in the seventh day of creation, that God wrestled with one of His soldiers, that God is an envious plotter against mankind, or that God is incarnate in any human being are considered blasphemy from the Islamic point of view.

The unique usage of Allah as a personal name of God is a reflection of Islam's emphasis on the purity of the belief in God which is the essence of the message of all God's messengers. Because of this, Islam considers associating any deity or personality with God as a deadly sin which God will never forgive, despite the fact He may forgive all other sins.
The Creator must be of a different nature from the things created because if he is of the same nature as they are, he will be temporal and will therefore need a maker. It follows that nothing is like Him. If the maker is not temporal, then he must be eternal. But if he is eternal, he cannot be caused, and if nothing outside him causes him to continue to exist, which means that he must be self-sufficient. And if the does not depend on anything for the continuance of his own existence, then this existence can have no end. The Creator is therefore eternal and everlasting:
"He is the First and the Last."

He is Self-Sufficient or Self-Subsistent or, to use a Quranic term, Al-Qayyum. The Creator does not create only in the sense of bringing things into being, He also preserves them and takes them out of existence and is the ultimate cause of whatever happens to them.

"God is the Creator of everything. He is the guardian over everything. Unto Him belong the keys of the heavens and the earth." (39:62, 63)

"No creature is there crawling on the earth, but its provision rests on God. He knows its lodging place and it repository." (11:6)

God's Attributes
If the Creator is Eternal and Everlasting, then His attributes must also be eternal and everlasting. He should not lose any of His attributes nor acquire new ones. If this is so, then His attributes are absolute. Can there be more than one Creator with such absolute attributes? Can there be for example, two absolutely powerful Creators? A moment's thought shows that this is not feasible.
The Quran summarizes this argument in the following verses:

"God has not taken to Himself any son, nor is there any god with Him: For then each god would have taken of that which he created and some of them would have risen up over others." (23:91)

And Why, were there gods in earth and heaven other than God, they (heaven and earth) would surely go to ruin." (21:22)

The Oneness of God
The Quran reminds us of the falsity of all alleged gods. To the worshippers of man-made objects, it asks:

"Do you worship what you have carved yourself?" (37:95)

"Or have you taken unto you others beside Him to be your protectors, even such as have no power either for good or for harm to themselves?" (13:16)

To the worshippers of heavenly bodies it cites the story of Abraham:

"When night outspread over him he saw a star and said, 'This is my Lord.' But when it set he said, 'I love not the setters.' When he saw the moon rising, he said, 'This is my Lord.' But when it set he said, 'If my Lord does not guide me I shall surely be of the people gone astray.' When he saw the sun rising, he said, 'This is my Lord; this is greater.' But when it set he said, 'O my people, surely I quit that which you associate, I have turned my face to Him Who originated the heavens and the earth; a man of pure faith, I am not of the idolaters.'" (6:76-79)

The Believer's Attitude
In order to be a Muslim, i.e., to surrender oneself to God, it is necessary to believe in the oneness of God, in the sense of His being the only Creator, Preserver, Nourisher, etc. But this belief - later on called "Tawhid Ar-Rububiyyah" - is not enough. Many of the idolaters knew and believed that only the Supreme God could do all this, but that was not enough to make them Muslims. To tawhid ar-rububiyyah one must add tawhid al'uluhiyyah, i.e., one acknowledges the fact that is God alone Who deserves to be worshipped, and thus abstains from worshipping any other thing or being.

Having achieved this knowledge of the one true God, man should constantly have faith in Him, and should allow nothing to induce him to deny truth.

When faith enters a person's heart, it causes certain mental states which result in certain actions. Taken together these mental states and actions are the proof for the true faith. The Prophet said, "Faith is that which resides firmly in the heart and which is proved by deeds." Foremost among those mental states is the feeling of gratitude towards God which could be said to be the essence of 'ibada' (worship).

The feeling of gratitude is so important that a non-believer is called 'kafir' which means 'one who denies a truth' and also 'one who is ungrateful.'

A believer loves, and is grateful to God for the bounties He bestowed upon him, but being aware of the fact that his good deeds, whether mental or physical, are far from being commensurate with Divine favors, he is always anxious lest God should punish him, here or in the Hereafter. He, therefore, fears Him, surrenders himself to Him and serves Him with great humility. One cannot be in such a mental state without being almost all the time mindful of God. Remembering God is thus the life force of faith, without which it fades and withers away.
The Quran tries to promote this feeling of gratitude by repeating the attributes of God very frequently. We find most of these attributes mentioned together in the following verses of the Quran:

"He is God; there is no god but He, He is the Knower of the unseen and the visible; He is the All-Merciful, the All-Compassionate. He is God, there is no God but He. He is the King, the All-Holy, the All-Peace, the Guardian of Faith, the All-Preserver, the All-Mighty, the All-Compeller, the All-Sublime. Glory be to God, above that they associate! He is God the Creator, the Maker, the Shaper. To Him belong the Names Most Beautiful. All that is in the heavens and the earth magnifies Him; He is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise." (59:22-24)

"There is no god but He, the Living, the Everlasting. Slumber seizes Him not, neither sleep; to Him belongs all that is in the heavens and the earth. Who is there that shall intercede with Him save by His leave? He knows what lies before them and what is after them, and they comprehend not anything of His knowledge save such as He wills. His throne comprises the heavens and earth; the preserving of them oppresses Him not; He is the All-High, the All-Glorious." (2:255)

"People of the Book, go not beyond the bounds in your religion, and say not as to God but the truth. The Messiah, Jesus son of Mary, was only the Messenger of God, and His Word that He committed to Mary, and a Spirit from Him. So believe in God and His Messengers, and say not, 'Three.' Refrain; better is it for you. God is only one God. Glory be to Him - (He is) above having a son." (4:171)

Lanjutkan......

KEISTIMEWAAN WANITA

Kaum feminis bilang susah jadi wanita, lihat saja peraturan dibawah ini:

1. Wanita auratnya lebih susah dijaga (lebih banyak) dibanding lelaki.
2. Wanita perlu meminta izin dari suaminya apabila mau keluar rumah tetapi tidak sebaliknya.
3. Wanita saksinya (apabila menjadi saksi) kurang berbanding lelaki.
4. Wanita menerima warisan lebih sedikit daripada lelaki.
5. Wanita perlu menghadapi kesusahan mengandung dan melahirkan anak.
6. Wanita wajib taat kepada suaminya, sementara suami tak perlu taat pada isterinya.
7. Talak terletak di tangan suami dan bukan isteri.
8. Wanita kurang dalam beribadat karena adanya masalah haid dan nifas yang tak ada ada lelaki.
9. Dll.
   

Itu sebabnya mereka tidak henti-hentinya berpromosi untuk

"MEMERDEKAKAN WANITA ".

Pernahkah kita lihat sebaliknya (kenyataannya) ?

Benda yang yang sangat berharga pasti akan dijaga dan dirawat dibelai serta disimpan ditempat yang teraman dan terbaik. Sudah pasti intan permata tidak akan dibiar terserak bukan? Itulah bandingannya dengan seorang wanita.

Wanita perlu taat kepada suami, tetapi tahukah lelaki wajib taat kepada ibunya 3 kali lebih utama daripada kepada bapaknya?

Wanita menerima warisan lebih sedikit daripada lelaki, tetapi tahukah harta itu menjadi milik pribadinya dan tidak perlu diserahkan kepada suaminya, sementara apabila lelaki menerima warisan, ia harus dan wajib juga menggunakan hartanya untuk isteri dan anak-anak?

Wanita perlu bersusah payah mengandung dan melahirkan anak, tetapi tahukah bahwa setiap saat dia didoakan oleh segala makhluk, malaikat dan seluruh makhluk ALLAH di muka bumi ini, dan tahukah jika ia mati karena melahirkan adalah syahid dan surga menantinya?

Di akhirat kelak, seorang lelaki akan dipertanggungjawabkan terhadap 4 wanita, yaitu : Isterinya, ibunya, anak perempuannya dan saudara perempuannya. Artinya, bagi seorang wanita tanggung jawab terhadapnya ditanggung oleh 4 orang lelaki, yaitu : suaminya, ayahnya, anak lelakinya dan saudara lelakinya.

Seorang wanita boleh memasuki pintu syurga melalui pintu surga yang mana saja yang disukainya, cukup dengan 4 syarat saja, yaitu : sembahyang 5 waktu, puasa di bulan Ramadhan, taat kepada suaminya dan menjaga kehormatannya.


Seorang lelaki wajib berjihad fisabilillah, sementara bagi wanita jika taat akan suaminya serta menunaikan tanggungjawabnya kepada ALLAH, maka ia akan turut menerima pahala setara seperti pahala orang pergi berjihad fisabilillah tanpa perlu mengangkat senjata.


Masya ALLAH ! Demikian sayangnya ALLAH pada wanita....kan? Ingat firman Nya, bahwa mereka tidak akan berhenti melakukan segala upaya, sampai kita ikut / tunduk kepada cara-cara / peraturan buatan mereka.


Yakinlah, bahwa sebagai dzat yang Maha Pencipta, yang menciptakan kita, maka sudah pasti Ia yang Maha Tahu akan manusia, sehingga segala hukumnya/peraturannya, adalah YANG TERBAIK bagi manusia dibandingkan dengan segala peraturan/hukum buatan manusia.

* Dari seseorang entah dimana

Lanjutkan......

GUSTI ALLAH MBOTEN SARE

Malam telah larut saat saya meninggalkan kantor. Telah lewat pukul 11 malam. Pekerjaan yang menumpuk, membuat saya harus pulang selarut ini. Ah, hari yang menjemukan saat itu. Terlebih, setelah beberapa saat berjalan, warna langit tampak memerah. Rintik hujan mulai turun. Lengkap sudah, badan yang lelah ditambah dengan "acara" kehujanan. Setengah berlari saya mencari tempat berlindung. Untunglah, penjual nasi goreng yang mangkal di pojok jalan, mempunyai tenda sederhana. Lumayan, pikir saya. Segera saya berteduh, menjumpai bapak penjual yang sendirian ditemani rokok dan lampu petromak yang masih menyala. Dia menyilahkan saya duduk. "Disini saja dik, daripada kehujanan... ," begitu katanya saat saya meminta ijin berteduh. Benar saja, hujan mulai deras, dan kami makin terlihat dalam kesunyian yang pekat.

Karena merasa tak nyaman atas kebaikan bapak penjual dan tendanya, saya berkata, "tolong bikin mie goreng pak, di makan disini saja." Sang Bapak tersenyum, dan mulai menyiapkan tungku apinya.

Dia tampak sibuk. Bumbu dan penggorengan pun telah siap untuk di racik. Tampaklah pertunjukkan sebuah pengalaman yang tak dapat diraih dalam waktu sebentar. Tangannya cekatan sekali meraih botol kecap dan segenap bumbu. Segera saja, mie goreng yang mengepul telah terhidang. Keadaan yang semula canggung mulai hilang. Basa-basi saya bertanya, "Wah hujannya tambah deras nih, orang-orang makin jarang yang keluar ya Pak?" Bapak itu menoleh kearah saya, dan berkata, "Iya dik, jadi sepi nih dagangan saya.." katanya sambil menghisap rokok dalam-dalam. "Kalau hujan begini, jadi sedikit yang beli ya Pak?" kata saya, "Wah, rezekinya jadi berkurang dong ya?" Duh. Pertanyaan yang bodoh. Tentu saja tak banyak yang membeli kalau hujan begini. Tentu, pertanyaan itu hanya akan membuat Bapak itu tambah sedih. Namun, agaknya saya keliru... "Gusti Allah, ora sare dik, (Allah itu tidak pernah istirahat), begitu katanya. "Rezeki saya ada dimana-mana. Saya malah senang kalau hujan begini. Istri sama anak saya di kampung pasti dapat air buat sawah. Yah, walaupun nggak lebar, tapi lumayan lah tanahnya." Bapak itu melanjutkan, "Anak saya yang disini pasti bisa ngojek payung kalau besok masih hujan.....". Degh. Dduh, hati saya tergetar.

Bapak itu benar, "Gusti Allah ora sare". Allah Memang Maha Kuasa, yang tak pernah istirahat buat hamba-hamba- Nya. Saya rupanya telah keliru memaknai hidup. Filsafat hidup yang saya punya, tampak tak ada artinya di depan perkataan sederhana itu. Maknanya terlampau dalam, membuat saya banyak berpikir dan menyadari kekerdilan saya di hadapan Tuhan. Saya selalu berpikiran, bahwa hujan adalah bencana, adalah petaka bagi banyak hal. Saya selalu berpendapat, bahwa rezeki itu selalu berupa materi, dan hal nyata yang bisa digenggam dan dirasakan. Dan saya juga berpendapat, bahwa saat ada ujian yang menimpa, maka itu artinya saya cuma harus bersabar.

Namun saya keliru. Hujan, memang bisa menjadi bencana, namun rintiknya bisa menjadi anugerah bagi setiap petani. Derasnya juga adalah berkah bagi sawah-sawah yang perlu diairi. Derai hujan mungkin bisa menjadi petaka, namun derai itu pula yang menjadi harapan bagi sebagian orang yang mengojek payung, atau mendorong mobil yang mogok. Hmm...saya makin bergegas untuk menyelesaikan mie goreng itu. Beribu pikiran tampak seperti lintasan-lintasan cahaya yang bergerak dibenak saya. "Ya Allah, Engkau Memang Tak Pernah Beristirahat" Untunglah,hujan telah reda, dan sayapun telah selesai makan.

Dalam perjalanan pulang, hanya kata itu yang teringat, Gusti Allah Ora Sare..... Gusti Allah Ora Sare..... Begitulah, saya sering takjub pada hal-hal kecil yang ada di depan saya. Allah memang selalu punya banyak rahasia, dan mengingatkan kita dengan cara yang tak terduga. Selalu saja, Dia memberikan Cinta kepada saya lewat hal-hal yang sederhana. Dan hal-hal itu, kerap membuat saya menjadi semakin banyak belajar. Dulu, saya berharap, bisa melewati tahun ini dengan hal-hal besar, dengan sesuatu yang istimewa. Saya sering berharap, saat saya bertambah usia, harus ada hal besar yang saya lampaui. Seperti tahun sebelumnya, saya ingin ada hal yang menakjubkan saya lakukan. Namun, rupanya tahun ini Allah punya rencana lain buat saya. Dalam setiap doa saya, sering terucap agar saya selalu dapat belajar dan memaknai hikmah kehidupan. Dan kali ini Allah pun tetap memberikan saya yang terbaik. Saya tetap belajar, dan terus belajar, walaupun bukan dengan hal-hal besar dan istimewa. Aku berdoa agar diberikan kekuatan...Namun, Allah memberikanku cobaan agar aku kuat menghadapinya. Aku berdoa agar diberikan kebijaksanaan. ..Namun, Allah memberikanku masalah agar aku mampu memecahkannya. Aku berdoa agar diberikan kecerdasan.. .Namun, Allah memberikanku otak dan pikiran agar aku dapat belajar dari-Nya. Aku berdoa agar diberikan keberanian.. .Namun, Allah memberikanku persoalan agar aku mampu menghadapinya. Aku berdoa agar diberikan cinta dan kasih sayang..... Namun, Allah memberikanku orang-orang yang luka hatinya agar aku dapat berbagi dengannya. Aku berdoa agar diberikan kebahagiaan. ..Namun, Allah memberikanku pintu kesempatan agar aku dapat memanfaatkannya Amin-amin atas semua karuniamu, kini ku yakin “ Gusti Allah Ora Sare “